Finau injures ankle celebrating ace, forced to withdraw

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Tony Finau injured his left ankle celebrating a hole-in-one during the Par-3 contest at the Masters and then seemingly popped it back into place.

Finau flew his ball to the back of the seventh green Wednesday on the Par-3 course at Augusta National and spun it back into the hole for an ace. He started running toward the hole to celebrate, then turned and backpedaled before landing awkwardly on his left ankle. He dropped to one knee and wound up pushing the joint back into place.

The Golf Channel reported that Finau dislocated his ankle, but that X-rays were negative. The Golf Channel report added that Finau was to have an MRI exam Thursday morning, with the result determining whether he tries to play in the Masters. He is set to tee off at 9:43 PDT.

Finau, ranked No. 34 in the world, ended up withdrawing from the event but stayed for the final two holes. He gingerly walked to a golf cart and was driven off the course.

Tom Watson won the exhibition at 6-under-par, one shot better than Tommy Fleetwood and Thomas Pieters.

Jack Nicklaus’ grandson, G.T., who was caddying for the six-time Masters winner, made a hole-in-one at No. 9.

Changes to classic hole? It sounds like the final hole at Amen Corner is going to get a little longer.

At least one golfer says hallelujah.

Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley hinted Wednesday that the par-5 13th, a 510-yard hole known as Azalea, could be super-sized down the road.

“There’s a great quote from Bobby Jones dealing specifically with the 13th hole, which has been lengthened over time, and he said the decision to go for the green in two should be a momentous one,” Ridley said. “And I would have to say that our observations of these great players hitting middle, and even short irons, into that hole is not a momentous decision.”

“I would hope it would be lengthened, personally, to take away certain players being able to cut off a lot of the hole and require pretty much everyone to hit it around the same line,” he said.

Spieth added that the dog-leg-left hole favors left-hander Bubba Watson, Rory McIlroy and others with towering, right-to-left ball flights. “I’ll probably hit 3-wood all four days this year,” Spieth said. “So it will just force you to hit driver into a location where you would hit 3-wood. ... It’s forcing you to hit driver in the same place that guys are thinking 3-woods, so it just makes it a little bit harder.”

No. 13 ranked as the easiest hole in 2017, surrendering 128 birdies and six eagles.

The par-5 eighth also could get a mild makeover. The 570-yard hole nicknamed Yellow Jasmine ranked third-easiest in 2017, yielding 90 birdies.

Ridley also addressed the topic of fan behavior, which has become a hot topic on the PGA Tour. Ridley said he expects more decorum at Augusta.

Ridley confirmed an online report that spectators who yell the phrase “Dilly Dilly” will be removed from Augusta National. The report said security had been given a list of sayings that are prohibited and anyone who shouts them will be “removed” immediately.